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Clemson graduates team up with Toyota to create uBox multi-purpose vehicle

At the SAE World Congress at Cobo Center on Tuesday, Clemson University's International Center for Automotive Research unveiled the uBox concept vehicle, which has been created in collaboration with bigwig automaker Toyota.

The uBox concept vehicle -- which will be on display in the Cobo atrium through Thursday -- has been designed by a group of engineering graduates of Clemson University as part of the University's ongoing Deep Orange project. The uBox is the sixth car in the series; and its development process lasted two years.

The uBox is a muscular, multi-purpose clamshell door-equipped crossover, aimed essentially at the millennial generation of young entrepreneurs. It has been designed to meet the transportation, work and socializing needs of the millennial entrepreneurs.

Equipped with an all-electric dual-purpose powertrain, the uBox has the capability to deliver astounding take-off performance when it is parked. The electric powertrain provides emission-free energy that can power consumer electronics, power tools or other devices through the vehicle's 110-volt sockets located on the inside as well as outside.

One of the distinctive uBox features is that it comes with a reconfigurable interior which has sliding, nesting seats that can be used for the purpose of carrying cargo as well as passengers. The vehicle's interior uses 3D-printed door trim, bezels and vents, to enable its customization by owners.